It is an increasing and all-inclusive dialogue which has been going on in the past years and speaks to various conceptions of what is often referred to as "toxic masculinity" besides the concept of toxic relationships. This dialogue is being undertaken within the Indian context, but by all means has caught the attention of the whole world, across cultures and societies. Toxic masculinity, as such terms go, refers to a certain set of cultural expectations that encourage and allow a certain set of old-fashioned qualities, which are normally considered the hallmark of being masculine.

Among such qualities are aggression and emotional repression and an overall sense of entitlement which many believe give rise to evils in interpersonal dynamics and social intercourse. These norms play a very important role in creating destructive interpersonal relations, not only affecting the parties themselves but, most importantly, being absolutely harmful to the relationships as a whole. That is why the often-stated myth that some women are simply "attracted" to such negative features is nothing short of a gross exaggeration and is really far removed from the real facts.

The article described below delineates the complex and multi-layered reasons that explain why men continue with their harmful conduct in relating to others within their lives, and specifically focuses on the context of India where sociocultural and psychological factors distinctly affect and impact such forms of relational dynamics.

It also goes on to detail and illustrate very clearly the social conditioning which is deeply entrenched and innately planted within the special context of Indian society.

Social Conditioning Effect in the Country of India is a culturally heterogeneous society. Cultural differences and diversity are quite in plenty in India and are said to make up a rich tapestry of this society. In this complex social matrix, the traditional roles assigned to genders are very much integrated into the very thin fabric of social interaction and expectations.

Indian women are often socialized from the tender age to adopt values that present them as good nurturing, self-sacrificing, and pardonable individuals. Unfortunately, these inherent traits may sometimes get exploited by their partners, especially when the relationship is toxic and unhealthy. This gives a clearer understanding of why power imbalances in relationships become the norm and why women may be locked into harmful dynamics from which they have little to no way out.

The Role of Patriarchy and Gender Inequality

In most states of India, social pressure and family reputation exercise very heavy pressure on women to treat marriage as the highest goal of their life. That often makes them subordinate personal ambitions and aspirations and above all, personal needs, to the institution of marriage.

The situation also considerably presents consequential and serious problems for women trying to cut themselves off from toxic or adverse relationships, thereby further complicating and aggravating their overall welfare and wellbeing. Abhorrent behaviors like jealousy, possessiveness, and excessive control are not seldom touted and dramatized through popular entertainment, which also has the task of helping to build and shape public attitudes and opinions regarding these matters.

As an example, it is exceedingly common for Bollywood movies to portray men, who are controlling and dictatorial as "passionate lovers." The appearance directly leads to the tolerance of unhealthy patterns and dynamics in a relationship in the popular consciousness and creates stereotypes and expectations about women's and men's roles in loving relationships. Patriarchy and Gender Inequality End It are the patriarchal systems that have played a big and influential role in the continued prevalence of toxic masculinity across India.

The men often become defined by rigid gender roles that tenaciously stress qualities such as strength, authority, and a deep dominance over others. Meanwhile, women are often led to be nurturing characteristics that classify them as submissive or tolerant in nature. The general fundamental power imbalance between the genders creates situations where dismissive or even normalization of stereotypical masculine behaviors but when these are harmful and potentially detrimental to others.

For example, this possessiveness becomes interpreted by many as an expression of deep concern for the well- being of others, whilst such claims of emotional abuse are frequently ignored or downplayed in a bid to protect the dignity of the family unit as a whole.

The Impact of Media and Pop Culture

According to research studies, an overwhelming proportion of Indian women face gigantic problems and issues in their effort to come out of the abusive relation. These problems worsen in most cases because such problems are founded on other underlying issues such as financial dependence, lack of social support, and the stigma attached to divorce. Asking or requesting people to forgive or be patient because of the social influence makes one think that sometime in life bad toxic behavior would change for good. They are socialized from childhood days to bear such things solely for the protection of their family's honor and reputation. Such expectations usually come at a very heavy cost to their mental health and wellbeing.

Media and Popular Culture

While all this mass media and alive pop world surely make the lives of people very thrilling and entertaining, yet at the same time, they can also lead to the most devastating and destructive consequences. In this regard, Bollywood movies and Indian soap operas have somehow held an undeniable position in shaping and modifying the minds of the masses in believing utterly in regards to the realm of love relationships. A great number of movies in this genre romanticize unhealthy relationship behavior and dynamics, which ultimately portray possessiveness and jealousy along with emotional blackmailing as symptoms of deep love and undying devotion.

Manipulation and control are portrayed as expressions of a protective nature, thereby misleading the audiences to equate these problematic attributes with what they envision as true love and concern. Such portrayals give way to very vivid and, although unrealistic images of relationships that are highly influential, especially to the minds of young, impressionable minds who are still evolving in their understanding of love and attachment.

A direct result of these portrayals is that women are likely to learn and internalize the idea that toxic behaviors go along with love, which complicates their ability to identify, understand, or resolutely reject harmful dynamics in the relationships. This disturbingly normalized toxicity of the traits within the romantic partnerships complicates the issue involving women, making it more difficult for them to assert their rights and develop emotional security within such relationships.

Psychological factor: Attachment style and complexity of self-esteem

To be more specific, several psychological theories can well account for the very complex reasons for which women often end up staying in toxic relationships or why they may be attracted to men who display toxic tendencies. However, one theory that could prove particularly important is attachment theory; indeed, according to it, our early relationship with our caregivers goes quite a long way towards setting our attachment style.

The attachment styles then do a lot in shaping how we will relate to and connect with others in our adult romantic relationships. For example, people who have an anxious or insecure attachment style may be vulnerable to attracting emotionally unavailable partners or those with controlling behaviors. In doing this, they may be unconsciously recreating and reenacting unhealthy dynamics that begun from their past experiences with the caregivers.

Poor self-esteem is yet another key factor that, on its own, adds up to a lot of the dynamics found in toxic relationships.

What is wrong is that the women believe, with their low self-esteem, they don't deserve any better or that she should abuse them even more. Maybe they could convince themselves, or try to do so, that they needed a bad and unhealthy partner in the first place and should be mistreated for perceived inadequacies.

This type of mind becomes vicious emotional dependence under which the women feel an enormous urge to correct the inadequacies of their mates or increase his personal qualities in order

to save and refurbish the love relation that they adore. Such emotional bindings are very difficult for a woman to untangle herself from and may trap her in sick and destructive surroundings. Power of Peer and Social Influence in India, peer and societal pressure imposed on the woman decides the romance relationship dynamics to a great extent. Pressure is mounted against women from family, friends, and society for entering romantic relationships or continuing in them, which might be unhealthy and even dangerous for women.

This is so because society grants social importance and value to women's relations, especially about marriage, which makes women overlook signs of warning and tolerate bad conduct. This is mainly because they fear being labeled and condemned by society if they fail to find a satisfactory partnership, with respect to divorce.

This is further exacerbated when the region is in a cultural and religious context where the institution of marriage is sacred and divorce is looked at in low light or is considered unacceptable. In this scenario, the lady has huge feelings of guilt and has the biggest fear of not wanting to be shunned socially as she believes that a decision to leave their abusive marriage would bring dishonor to her family and loved ones. They, thus, tolerate their destructive behaviors and toxic relationships by citing reasons of keeping family honor and reputation alive within the community.

Breaking the Continual Cycle: How Awareness and Learning Interrupt the Continuing Cycle

While the toxic behaviors remain this gigantic problem still presents in most relationships, it's undisputably important to realize that the awareness and education given must play a role in breaking the destructive cycle.
Modern Indian women, hence, have become very sensitive to the manifestation of toxic masculinity and would not tolerate such behavior at any point in time.

With a large growth in the popularity of feminist movements combined with enhanced awareness regarding mental health, these women are today empowered to an extreme level. This empowerment is what makes them recognize and finally get rid of the toxic traits that they sometimes depict in their relationships.

One of the greatest contributions of social media is its contribution toward women giving them very valuable public forums to voice themselves as well as narrate experiences, share stories, and assert their rights in a way that otherwise is not easily accessible. Women today are much more likely to withdraw from possibly toxic relationships much earlier than earlier generations of women ever might.

This is due to plenty of reasons, as good financial and academic independence have joined hands with better legal knowledge of what they can legally avail themselves of. The Indian women's movements that have sprouted of late provide tremendous support in making such a switch in the mentality, make women think better about their mental well-being and self-respect, and focus on them before anything else.

Conclusion
The "it's a matter of individual choice" factor can't override the concern about being edged into dysfunctional behavior but must be looked at as a sophisticated interplay of cause and effect rooted in deeply ingrained customs and sociocultural norms, combined with powerful psychological factors and overbearing social pressures conditioning individual choices and behavior. Women in India, much like throughout much of the world, gradually learn how much it matters to tend to their self-respect and emotional well-being within relationships characterized by mutual respect.

The growing consciousness with the toxic character of toxic masculinity and its abusive and unhealthy relational patterns results in a freeing transition through which more women feel empowered to establish healthy boundaries and refuse toxic relationships detrimental to their well- being. In order to establish and grow healthier relationships, men and women must work together and engage themselves in shaping a culture that truly embodies equality as well as respect for each other.

In such an atmosphere, there should neither be glorification nor toleration of such toxic behavior because they are highly likely to damage the very core on which a healthy relationship is established. Similarly, education, proper portrayal through media, and comprehensive mental health services will work towards creating healthier relationships for generations ahead. This will help create a society full of love and respect.

Written By: Ritik Sinha, 4th Year BA. LLB (Hons), Law Faculty, B.H.U